CONGER. 243 



When the lobster has the premonition that this 

 process of shedding his coat of mail is about 

 to take place, he endeavors to conceal himself in 

 the dark recesses of the rocks, beyond the discov- 

 ery of those who, like the ass in the fable, take 

 pleasure in kicking the dead lion. Thousands upon 

 thousands, however, are torn to pieces during the 

 few days that they are without a shell. In about 

 seven days another one is elaborated, and he again 

 sallies forth in the majest} of his strength, putting 

 to flight, by his very appearance, the rabble mob 

 that sought his life. 



GEN. CONGER. 



Conger Eel, — Murcena Conger. Only occa- 

 sionally found in the harbors, though the mackerel 

 fishermen get them in deep water. One specimen 

 only has been obtained by the writer, and that 

 was unfortunately lost, by breaking the glass which 

 contained it. Though pronounced fine eating, its 

 color and shape are certainly forbidding. Some 

 have been scooped up, weighing a hundred weight. 

 The color is a yellowish white, mottled with dirty 

 spots. The mouth and throat large, the neck 

 thick, but soon becomes slender and snake-like. 

 Teeth in both jaws. In the united dorsal, caudal 

 and anal fin, there are said to be one hundred 

 and thirtynine rays. 



